No difference between 2020 and 2021 highlander. You can live without the smartphone with any of them. 2021 has considerably better headlights in lower trims compared to 2020 and a better toyota safety sense 2.5+

 

Absolutely not true. A smartphone is not required.

A smartphone will add some more features, but if you're not into techie stuff like that, then don't worry about it and just drive the car.

 

Covid isn’t going away any time soon so I wouldn’t use that as a basis for purchasing a new car.

If anything, with used car prices as high as they are right now, it might be the BEST time to sell your car at top value and get a 2021 highlander!

There are some differences between the 2020 and the 2021 highlander that persuaded my purchase. First and foremost, there is a brand new trim line (XSE) the highlander has never seen that was rolled out on the 21’ highlanders. It has some major exterior body changes which give it a more aggressive and sporty look. The XSE trim line is a cross between the XLE (comfort and economy) and the S (sport) trims. The XSE trim also features a new sport-tuned suspension, unique interior trim appointments, and all Highlander models now come standard with LED projector headlights and Toyota safety sense 2.5! That alone is worth buying the 2021 in my opinion, they’re wonderful.

Also, you can use most of the features without a smart phone on the new highlanders. You won’t be able to use maps or the navigation within the car without Apple car play (using your phones map applications) unless you purchase a more expensive trim line (platinum or limited) that come with navigation.

 

Sounds to me like you would not benefit from the upper levels of the Highlander. So you would be better off with the ones below the Limited as most of the higher levels get you options that work more with your phone than not.

 

Thanks everyone, THAT info is just what I needed. Being VERY OLD, we don't go out much and certainly won't be heading out to buy a car, at this rate, maybe till the end of 2021. I still have my portable Garmin gps so I won't be needing or using any built in navigations thingies. I just got a bit panic'd at the thought of not being able to buy a new, comfortable car that I could just get in, put in "D" and be done with it. I don't even use the radio or CD player in my 2016 Camry..... So, technology is more or a problem than a help.... I do have to admit that the safety thingies will be a big benefit as long as I don't have to do anything to make them work. THANKS AGAIN,
J.

 

Let's just say it is nice that even older phones can be answered hands free with any newer Toyota.

I know I could NEVER park my Highlander without the extra bells and whistles of the higher trim models. Also the various extra alerts the higher trims offer are quite useful to any one who needs help from time to time.

But as stated above YOU do not need a smart phone, but maybe others in your family would benefit from the features, even if you do not use them?

 

My wife has the smart phone connected to the car. I don't. And I am happy with the car.

It was fun when I left my teenagers in the car at the fruit market (don't worry, I didn't left them to steam to death, they are 13 and 15 year old, they'd get out of the car before they'd cook in the sun... ) Anyways, my wire received an alert on her phone that I had left the car but also left the door unlocked... so she locked the door remotely to make a prank for my teenager.

Of course, when they opened the door for whatever reasons, the theft alarm sounded...

Yes my wife had fun... and you don't actually need it. On the other hand, when you leave the window or the roof open, you'll receive an alert on the phone. I wished I had this on when I left the roof opened and it started raining...

So if you don't have a smartphone, be smarter than me and don't leave the roof open when it rains!
jf

 

I was told by someone who recently bought a 2020 Highlander (XLE i think) that I should not bother thinking about buying one in 2021 as I had planned (after Covid is gone). The reason given is that I DO NOT have a smartphone and have no desire to ever get one. The new owner told me that a smartphone is necessary for many functions or the Highlander that he bought.
Question 1) Is that true...?
Question 2) If it is true, is it also true of say a 2021 Camry (i have a 2016 XLE currently)..?
I'm hoping none of the above is true because, if it is, I'm going to have to keep my 2016 till 'the end'....given my age, this is doable....
THANKS,
J.

1) = No, if equipped with audio/Nav upgrade
2) = Ditto

Here's a tip from another old man........get a '20 or '21 Highlander or model with the audio upgrade and Nav system. No need to plug a cell phone in or bother installing AutoAndroid or Apple carplay software. A cell phone is not needed to access any audio functions including radio, Nav system or music/video stored on a flash drive plugged into a USB port. Simply use the steering wheel buttons, or touch screen, or voice command connect to play music stored flash drive, or have the Nav to set a destination or find and plot a route for the nearest gas, hospital specialty store or restaurant.

If you do get a cell phone, you can keep your cell phone in your pocket or your wife's purse,simply connect without wires via Bluetooth setting on the phone and you are ready to make and receive phone calls and the voice system will automatically read texts. No need to install any software on the phone, just connect wireless via Bluetooth and all phone functions can also be done by touch screen or hands-free voice command.

And a bonus with the audio/Nav system upgrade is you get a free remote starter function using the regular keyfob. This feature is undocumented in the manual, but all over Youtube and common knowledge to many salesmen. Press the lock button three times in succession and hold down on the third press and in a few seconds the marker lights flash and the engine remote starts......the last climate control settings will also activate and it will run for 10 minutes or until a door is opened.

 

I was told by someone who recently bought a 2020 Highlander (XLE i think) that I should not bother thinking about buying one in 2021 as I had planned (after Covid is gone). The reason given is that I DO NOT have a smartphone and have no desire to ever get one. The new owner told me that a smartphone is necessary for many functions or the Highlander that he bought.
Question 1) Is that true...?
Question 2) If it is true, is it also true of say a 2021 Camry (i have a 2016 XLE currently)..?
I'm hoping none of the above is true because, if it is, I'm going to have to keep my 2016 till 'the end'....given my age, this is doable....
THANKS,
J.

Not true.
The cell phone features are free for one year, a try before you buy, but not necessary.
The only feature I might continue in my 2020 is the SOS feature for piece of mind once my trail runs out but I don't need others.

And as for COVID being gone in 2021 think again. No one knows what's in these vaccines, so in a years time people who take it could being growing a horn on their head.

 

We own a 202 limited hl and with 17000 miles on it, have never used a smart phone and never had any issues? Whatever a smart phone is good for, I don't see it?

 

Thanks again to all who responded.... Will probably head out to buy 4Q2021. There is no chance that I would use ANY of the great features you all have mentioned; I don't even use my AM/FM radio or CD player. And, remote start (that was a good one, my neighbors all have that) wouldn't be much of a 'plus' for me... my car is always in the garage below the house and I don't go out when the weather is bad. It's hard to imagine all this 'necessary' technology for a guy who used to fly his plane in the 60's by looking out the window with a map on my lap. Yes, I did have a radio to communicate, but all I had to do was push the button on the microphone (the speaker was above my head in the ceiling headliner... ))) p.s.That 2.5 safety tech is definitely gonna help me... no question there. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE,
J.

 

Thanks again to all who responded.... Will probably head out to buy 4Q2021. There is no chance that I would use ANY of the great features you all have mentioned; I don't even use my AM/FM radio or CD player. And, remote start (that was a good one, my neighbors all have that) wouldn't be much of a 'plus' for me... my car is always in the garage below the house and I don't go out when the weather is bad. It's hard to imagine all this 'necessary' technology for a guy who used to fly his plane in the 60's by looking out the window with a map on my lap. Yes, I did have a radio to communicate, but all I had to do was push the button on the microphone (the speaker was above my head in the ceiling headliner... ))) p.s.That 2.5 safety tech is definitely gonna help me... no question there. THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE,
J.

.02 I guess at 71+ I ain't that old after all. My first car was a fully equipped.....53 Chevy Bel Air w/3 on-the-tree had both tube radio, heater and power nothing A real piece of crap compared to modern vehicles.

Techno is great, gone are the days when you had to reach over to crank the passenger window, jamb a screwdriver into the choke "butterfly" to get a cold start or get under the vehicle to unjamb the shift rods on a 1-2 hangup...and let's not forget vacuum operated wipers that would stall when the engine was under load!

I love every freak'n gizmo in the Platinum. Even to the point of trading a '20 Limited to get the '20 Platinum because of the advanced directional self leveling headlamps, high intensity fogs, HUD, larger moonroof plus the rest of the other toys. And I even know how to text, send photos and load and play games on the cell phone. And modern cars aren't overpriced either. My '60 impala with only auto tranny, power steering and power brakes cost $2200 new when gold was $35 an ounce. Much, much better equipped base Highlander went for $34000 when the price of gold was $1850 or about the same as the Impala in 1960 dollars......so what is the big complaint about overpriced vehicles? And many current drivers couldn't even handle driving a 50s era base vehicle..modern equipped vehicles are a bargain considering the level of tech and dependability.

 

Easily the best thread yet. Serious!

 

I used to be like that. Bah, humbug, I don’t need all that. Now I feel alone if I drive a car in which I can not talk to Siri. I am used to asking Siri to get me directions or find the nearest whatever place to eat. I dictate messages. Or say “Call home.” I ask to calculate my gas mileage after filling up just to verify the display. I have fun with it now. Also now that I have wireless CarPlay working I just get in the car and go. Second nature.

Oh ya, and audio books and pod casts like Freakanomics, all so informative.

Let’s not forget all the things Wolfram Alpha can tell you simply by asking.

The kids take all this much further, but I am an old fart that is embracing this useful thing to make my life safer and simpler.

In other words, I am not being distracted writing things down, starring at notes, fiddling with maps, etc....my eyes are on the road.

But I am still Curmudgeon Man!